MOTORISTS are facing several months of roadworks misery.

Northern Gas Networks has begun work in Keighley, which it describes as "essential" to ensure safe and reliable supplies in the town.

The company says ageing metal gas mains have recently had to undergo several emergency repairs.

Now the pipework is being replaced with a new, more durable plastic version, which will also help prepare the network to transport alternative 'greener' fuels in the future.

Northern Gas Networks expects the work, which has been planned in conjunction with Bradford Council, to take around three months to complete.

The scheme is centred around the Stockbridge area.

Work is currently being carried out at the junction of Bradford Road and Aireworth Road, where three-way traffic lights are in operation. That will last for about three weeks.

There will then be around a month of working in Aireworth Road, to its junction with Aireworth Grove, alternating between two-way and four-way traffic lights.

The focus will subsequently return to the Bradford Road-Aireworth Road junction, with three-way traffic lights in operation for about a fortnight.

And the final phase will see further work in Aireworth Road, between the junction of Aireworth Grove and the Aire Valley trunk road, for around four weeks.

There will be a road closure in place for about a fortnight.

Chris Green, business operations lead with Northern Gas Networks, says: "We'd like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital that we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Keighley.

"We want to assure residents and road users that we'll be working hard to complete the scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.

"Some traffic management measures have had to be put in place so that engineers can carry out the work safely and efficiently, and to protect the public.

"Traffic management will operate and be manned between 7am and 7pm to assist with vehicular flows when working under temporary traffic lights. And there will be fully-signed diversions.

"Whilst the majority of the work will be carried out in the street, engineers will need to access customer properties to complete the project and ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas. Our customer care team is contacting households affected."

Further information about the work can be obtained by calling 0800 040 7766 or emailing customercare@northerngas.co.uk